Grave Origins: Grant Wolves, #5

By Lori Drake

Some secrets are better left buried.

 

Chris and Joey promised to help their newest pack member unravel the mystery of her parentage, but they didn't expect it to become a matter of life and death.

 

The quest takes Joey across the mountains and into another pack's territory, where the more she digs for the truth, the deeper the rabbit hole goes.

 

Meanwhile, Chris grapples with another werewolf looking for answers about her own mother—answers that could destroy his pack if they come to light.

 

Can Joey and Chris solve one mystery while keeping the other under wraps? Or will dark secrets laid bare be their ruin?

 

Grave Origins is the fifth page-turning Grant Wolves adventure. If you like overwhelming odds, high stakes, and mind-bending mysteries, this is the book for you!

 

Click or tap buy to claim your copy today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clockwork Cactus Press
• Release date: Apr 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9781955545099

Book preview

1

Chris took a swig of his beer and studied the shaggy-haired stranger perched at the end of the bar. He didn’t look like much, dressed in torn jeans and a wrinkled tee shirt that hung loose on his spare frame. In fact, he blended in quite well in this little dive on the outskirts of Seattle. The way he hunched over his beer discouraged company. Even the bartender gave him a wide berth.

It wasn’t only his body language, either. His wolf was close to the surface and bristled whenever anyone got too close. Chris could sense it from across the room, a sort of feral aggression that radiated from the fellow in waves. It made his own wolf wary, pacing within the confines of his body.

So, how does this work? Chris said, turning his attention to the other Alpha at his table. Do we just walk up and say, ‘Hi, this is our territory, piss off’?

Sam snorted softly, rolling his beer bottle between his calloused fingers. Maybe if you went to the Joey Grant school of diplomacy.

Chris bit back the first retort that came to mind. He tipped his bottle for another drink and swished the hoppy liquid around, counting to five before replying. Look, neither of us particularly wants to be here. Let’s get this over with so we can go our separate ways.

Sam grunted and pushed back his chair, rising. Chris followed suit.

Things had been tense between them for months, ever since Sam had made his little power play and taken over Joey’s pack. Joey had let him, largely because she had a bigger fish to fry. She’d been laser-focused on training to kick Lucas’s ass ever since. Chris still blamed himself for her prematurely terminated stint as Alpha, but Sam’s actions had been out of line. It made their working relationship awkward, not to mention their familial one.

Technically, Chris had seniority as the longest tenured Alpha in Seattle, but he let Sam take the lead as they approached the interloper. Sam had spent more years as their mother’s right hand than Chris had been alive, after all. If anyone knew how to handle a lone wolf trolling pack territory, it was Sam. It wasn’t that they didn’t have their share of lone wolves in Seattle already. There were four, actually. The difference with this one? He’d been lying low, trying to remain under their radar rather than introducing himself and asking permission to stay.

Sam slid onto the empty stool beside him. The feral energy around the stranger surged as he slowly turned his head to look at Sam. The hairs on Chris’s forearms stood on end.

Evening. Sam nodded to the stranger. I’m Sam. That’s Chris. We’d like to buy you a drink and have a little chat.

The man’s eyes flicked from Sam to Chris and back again. They were a golden hue, ringed with brown. His wolf was definitely riding shotgun.

Vince, he said.

Sam caught the bartender’s eye and motioned to him to refill Vince’s glass. He waited for the human to move away again before continuing the conversation. Haven’t seen you around here before. You new to town?

He knew full well that Vince was new to town, but it was an interesting tactic. Chris made a note.

Something like that, Vince replied, then tipped his mug for a swallow.

What brings you out this way? Sam asked.

None of your business.

Sam leaned closer, somehow managing to loom on the horizontal plane. Actually, it is our business. Everything involving wolves in Seattle is our business. Now, I don’t really care exactly what brought you into our territory. What I need to know is if you’re going to be a problem.

Vince bared his teeth in a snarl, eyes locked with Sam’s. The air between them grew so charged that Chris half expected sparks to start flying.

Chris stepped in, laying a hand on Vince’s shoulder. Hey, there’s no need for—

Well, well, what have we here? came a familiar voice from behind him.

Chris stiffened and grimaced. Sam and Vince both turned to look in the direction of the new arrival, and Chris let his hand drop from Vince’s shoulder, since the intense eye contact was broken. Shifting aside, he turned to face the speaker.

Lucas, Seattle’s other other Alpha, smiled at them. I didn’t expect to bump into the two of you here.

It’s a small world, Chris muttered. His thoughts spun. How had Lucas known they’d be there, and why had he turned up? Was he following them? Had security at the house been compromised?

I’ll say, Lucas said. I see you’ve already met Vince.

Chris and Sam exchanged glances.

Barely, Sam replied. Why don’t you introduce us?

Gladly. Vince, I’d like to introduce you to Sam Grant, Alpha of the other Grant pack, and Chris Martin, Alpha of the Granite Falls pack. Alphas, meet my packmate, Vince Wilson.

Chris blinked, looking from Lucas to Vince and back again. Packmate? Since when?

Lucas tapped a finger against his chin, expression turning thoughtful. Then he grinned. Oh, I guess a couple of days ago.

Chris didn’t know what to say to that. On one hand, it wasn’t like there was any expectation that Lucas would inform them if he recruited someone into his pack. On the other, what would Lucas want with a surly loner? Had he approached the other unaffiliated wolves in Seattle?

Then I suppose congratulations are in order, Sam said.

Vince grunted and went back to hunching over his beer.

Thanks, Lucas said, then looked at Chris. Where’s the ol’ ball and chain? She let you off the leash for the night?

Chris met his gaze evenly. "Well, it is Wednesday."

Lucas laughed and smacked Vince’s back. You’ll get to meet her soon enough. She’s a hoot, my cousin.

Chris’s wolf bristled at the idea of the undisciplined loner anywhere near his mate. He clenched a fist and ground his teeth.

What? Lucas said, looking him over. I mean, I’m sure she’s going to show up at the house any day now to challenge me. Don’t worry. I’ll try not to be too rough with her. I don’t really like to fight women to start with. No sport in it.

Lucas. Sam’s tone held a warning, for all that he appeared perfectly at ease on his stool. Back off.

Oh, come on. We both know how that challenge is going to end. She’s just too stubborn to roll over and take it. Lucas’s eyes slid to Chris again, his lips twitching into a smarmy grin. Or maybe she would, for the right man.

Chris’s fist flew practically of its own accord. Lucas didn’t even try to dodge. He took the hit, staggering backward a step before catching himself. Vince turned on his stool, menace rolling off him in waves as he looked between Chris and his Alpha.

Sam grabbed Chris’s other arm, holding him back. Come on, let’s go. He’s not worth it.

Lucas licked his freshly split lip and spat blood on the floor. Yeah, run away, little boy. Kicking your ass once was enough for me.

Chris surged forward, breaking free from Sam’s grip to charge Lucas. Vince grabbed for Chris, but he twisted aside and drove his shoulder into Lucas’s chest, shoving him back against the bar.

Hey! Take it outside! the bartender yelled.

Chris pummeled Lucas’s stomach again and again as chaos erupted around them. Chris was barely aware of it. His world shrank as rage flowed through his veins. His wolf surged to the fore, only clouding things further.

Lucas fought back now. Stars exploded in Chris’s vision as a fist impacted his face. They traded a few more blows before someone grabbed Chris from behind and dragged him away.

No! Let me go! Chris struggled against what felt like tree limbs wrapped around his arms.

Lucas watched him go with a smirk, then pushed off the bar in unhurried pursuit. He had to step over Vince, slumped on the floor, on the way.

The fog of rage thinned as Sam hauled Chris out the door, allowing him to take in the scene more fully. A good old-fashioned bar brawl had broken out, and the bartender was doing his best to break it up by spraying water from the soda fountain on the crowd.

They burst out into the cool night air, and the noise from inside faded as Sam dragged Chris over to his truck and flung him against it. The air whooshed out of Chris’s lungs on impact, and he glared at his brother as he gasped in a breath.

You know he just played you, right? Sam put a hand on his shoulder. He was trying to get under your skin, and it worked.

The fresh air did wonders for clearing Chris’s head, but his brother’s chiding tone did little to pacify him. He shrugged off Sam’s hand and met his eyes. I couldn’t stand there and let him talk about Joey like that.

You think that’s what she’d want? Sam held his gaze, his wolf rising behind his eyes. You think she wants or needs you to fight her battles?

Chris struggled against the rising tide of dominance, letting his own wolf rise in answer. Sam rarely got in his face. It wasn’t his style. But he knew how to rise to the occasion. Chris held his own, if barely.

The bar door slammed open behind Sam, forestalling Chris’s answer. He broke eye contact, looking past Sam to Lucas as he exited the bar. The anger was still there, boiling in Chris’s gut, but he was more in control of it now.

Nice to see you, as always! Lucas called out. See you on Friday!

Chris scowled. Let’s get out of here before I punch him again.

By the time Sam dropped Chris off at the house, Chris’s left eye had swollen shut. He’d contemplated suggesting a detour on the way home, but it’d take hours for the swelling to go down, and, unless he stayed out all night and most of the next day, there was no way he’d be able to sneak the black eye past Joey.

See you tomorrow. Seven? Sam said as the truck idled in the driveway.

Chris was still somewhat annoyed with his brother, but as tempting as it was to cancel their regularly scheduled target practice, it wouldn’t help anything. So he nodded before climbing out of the truck and heading inside.

The living room was uncharacteristically empty for nine o’clock, but Chris accepted that for the blessing it was and hung his keys on the rack by the door. The heady scent of garlic and tomato sauce hung in the air, and Chris’s stomach rumbled as he shed his jacket and hung it up. Deciding it’d be easier to face Joey with a full belly, he headed for the kitchen to heat up some leftovers. The sound of voices drifted out of the kitchen, which was hardly surprising. Between the long table with its bench seating and easy access to snacks and beverages, it had become a favored gathering spot since the renovations on the house had been completed.

Chris paused outside the door and listened, wincing when he heard Joey’s familiar laughter. At least she was in a good mood. He rounded the corner and found her, Maria, Jenny, and Lucy gathered around a board game on the table. They didn’t notice him right away, so he leaned a shoulder against the doorframe and observed from afar.

What to do with all this cash? Lucy said, fanning the colorful paper money in her hands. I think I’ll buy another round of hotels!

They all groaned.

Can you even do that? Maria asked, lips pursed. Put multiple hotels on one property?

Jenny? Lucy said.

Jenny nodded solemnly.

You’re not even going to look it up? Maria asked.

Joey snickered. You’re just upset because Lucy took you to the cleaners the last time you landed on Boardwalk.

There wasn’t even a complimentary breakfast at that hotel! Maria protested, and they all laughed.

Chris smiled. It’d been about two and a half months since they’d taken Maria in, and she seemed to be assimilating well. She’d been withdrawn at first, but the girls had whittled down her defenses and wormed their way in. He didn’t doubt she still had a long way to go when it came to accepting her wolf nature as something natural rather than demonic, but progress was progress.

Not interrupting girls’ night, am I? Chris asked.

Nope, just a little… Whoa, what happened to you? Joey slid off the end of the bench and padded toward him.

Eh, it’s not a big deal. You should see the other guy.

Joey snorted. Uh-huh. So, did you have to run that lone wolf out of town?

Not ex— Chris sucked in a breath through his teeth when she probed around his eye with her fingertips. Ow! Hey, careful with the merchandise.

Bought and paid for, I promise, Joey murmured, forehead wrinkling. Come sit down. We’ll get you something for that eye, and you can tell us what happened.

Chris let her guide him to a stool at the breakfast bar and sat there while she fussed over him, holding a bag of frozen peas against his eye.

You were saying…? Joey said.

Uh, right. Well, the tip panned out and we found the guy right where we expected. But it turns out he wasn’t unaffiliated after all.

Oh? What pack does he belong to?

Well, it’s not yours and it’s not mine…

It didn’t take Joey long to connect the dots. She growled and pressed the makeshift compress harder against Chris’s face. He winced and leaned back instinctively, then took the peas from her to hold against his own face.

Wow, he’s recruiting? Lucy said.

Who? Maria asked.

Lucas, Joey growled.

Oh. Maria blew her bangs out of her eyes. I don’t know why you won’t just let me kill him.

Joey frowned at Maria. First, you’re on wolf probation, remember? No wolf-on-wolf violence allowed. Second, if I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times: dibs. She turned back to Chris, and her eyes narrowed. Did he do this to you?

Chris grimaced. Technically, I threw the first punch. Ladies, would you give us the room, please?

They cleared out without protest, though Lucy paused on the way out to grab a few wine coolers from the fridge. Once they were alone, Chris fixed his good eye on Joey again. She stood there looking up at him expectantly, her lips pressed into a thin line.

First off, I’m fine. The eye is the worst of it. He showed up while we were talking to the new guy and ran his mouth off. I lost my cool. We scuffled. No big deal.

She folded her arms. Was it about me?

He sighed, having been willing to leave it vague, but now that she’d asked him directly… he couldn’t lie to her about it. Yeah. But this new guy… he’s bad news. His wolf is barely under control, and there’s something, I dunno, feral about him.

Whatever. I’ll deal with him after I deal with Lucas. Ben says I’m just about ready.

Chris’s chest tightened, but he nodded. As much as he wanted Lucas to be dealt with, the notion of Joey going toe to toe with him filled him with anxiety. It wasn’t that he doubted her abilities—she’d been training hard—but having fought Lucas himself, he knew exactly what she was getting into. If she lost… it might break her.

Rather than speak those thoughts aloud, he wrapped an arm around her and reeled her in, burying his nose in her hair.

If he starts talking shit about me again, tell him to say it to my face, she murmured against his neck.

I guess that sounds less emasculating than ‘my girlfriend is gonna kick your ass.’

Fiancée. Your fiancée is going to kick his ass.

He laughed, which made his eye throb, but it was worth it. She was worth it.

She was worth everything.

2

Joey circled her opponent, the mat firm but squishy beneath her bare feet. Her days had taken on a familiar pattern in the last ten weeks. She spent a couple of hours each morning training with Maria in hand-to-hand combat, then a couple of hours with Ben in wolf fighting.

At first, she hadn't understood why Ben was so insistent she train in human form as well. The challenge would be in wolf form, so she’d felt like every moment she spent training outside of wolf form was a waste of precious time. But now, she had to admit, it was helping her reflexes. Plus, Maria was accustomed to taking down much larger opponents and knew all sorts of dirty tricks.

In other words, she was teaching Joey how to fight like a girl.

Joey suspected their sessions were therapeutic for Maria as well. She often seemed more relaxed when they finished than when they had started. Today, however, Maria seemed distracted. Joey had taken her to the mat four times already, and they weren’t even halfway through their training session.

Maria lunged, slashing at Joey’s midsection with a dummy knife. Joey sidestepped and grabbed Maria’s arm, twisting it behind her back and bringing her up on the balls of her feet. Maria turned into her arm and drove her hip against Joey’s as she grabbed Joey’s other arm. The next thing Joey knew, she was flying through the air. She landed on her back with a grunt, the breath driven out of her lungs on impact.

That’s more like it, she said once she had her breath back. Finally. What the hell’s eating you today?

Nothing. Maria leaned over to offer her a hand up.

Joey gripped Maria’s wrist, but rather than pull herself up, she tugged Maria down. Startled, Maria tipped forward and Joey swept her legs out from her, grabbing her and twisting so Maria landed on her back.

Joey quickly scrambled up to straddle Maria’s chest, pinning her to the mat in a high mount. Bullshit. Talk to me, or get your head in the game and quit wasting my time.

Maria’s eyes narrowed, but she nodded tersely. Joey let her up, retreating to the edge of the mat for a sip of water and to give Maria a chance to collect herself.

Have you picked a date for the challenge yet? Maria said.

Not officially. Joey noted the change of subject. But I’m going to talk to Ben about it today. I think I’m ready.

Soon, then?

Joey retrieved her water bottle and turned, finding Maria standing in the center of the mat, hands on hips. Yeah. Tomorrow, maybe. It’s the peak of the new moon, so Lucas’s wolf will be at its weakest.

Maria snorted and shook her head. So will yours.

Yeah, but it won’t be as pronounced for me. His wolf is an order of magnitude stronger than mine.

The bigger they are, the harder they fall?

That’s the theory. Technically, he’ll have twenty-four hours to answer. I’m hoping he’s cocky enough to be overconfident. Joey took a sip of water, then set her bottle aside and approached the center of the mat once more. Look, I’m not going to order you to tell me what’s up or anything. I just want you to know that I’m willing to listen if there’s something on your mind. Unofficially, not as Chris’s second. Just… as a friend.

Are we friends?

We could be. This whole scenario would be easier for both of us if we were.

Maria tossed her long, dark braid over a shoulder and settled into a fighting stance. She didn’t answer until Joey joined her and they traded a few blows. I’m tired of being cooped up and babysat.

I can identify with that. But it’s only been, what… two months since you joined us?

Eighty-two days. I’ve done everything asked of me, but I’m not allowed to leave the house unsupervised, not allowed a weapon for my own protection… She swung.

Joey ducked the right cross. To be fair, you spent the first week all but locked in your room, refusing to talk to anyone. And we were just as worried for your own safety as ours.

Maria growled softly, a frustrated noise if Joey had ever heard one. I want to see my brother.

Joey could understand that too. Granted, none of her brothers had ever been locked up in mental institutions, but if they were… she’d want to see them too. Unfortunately, Maria’s brother—if he even was her brother—had written her off when he discovered she was a wolf. The two had been close until then. Inseparable, even. Maria wasn’t weathering their estrangement well.

I’m sorry. You know we’ve tried. He just doesn’t want to see you right now.

Maria threw herself into her attacks with a fury that took Joey by surprise. She dodged and feinted, and the first strike she took to her midsection doubled her over and sent her to her knees.

Maria backed off immediately, her face draining of color. Shit. Are you okay?

Yeah, Joey said, clutching her stomach as she eyed Maria warily. Gimme a sec. She breathed through the pain and got to her feet. It wasn’t too bad. Nowhere near as bad as it would’ve been if her silver wound hadn’t fully healed. That’s more like it. Do that again.

What?

Get angry. Come at me.

Maria held up a hand. No, no I can’t. If I hurt you, the Alpha will withdraw his protection.

Joey bared her teeth and met the reformed hunter’s eyes in challenge. I wasn’t ready. Now I am. Quit pussyfooting around and get it out of your system.

Even with a clear invitation, Maria hesitated. It was understandable. By the rules set for Maria’s probation, if she intentionally harmed a wolf, her life would be forfeit. But Joey wanted—needed—to know if all the training she’d been doing was really paying off, and she hadn’t realized until that moment how much Maria had been holding back. Settling into a fighting stance, Joey lifted an arm and crooked her fingers.

Maria came at her again, launching a flurry of punches and kicks. Now that she was expecting it, Joey blocked and dodged easily, utilizing the instincts she’d been honing these last two months and change. She took the first opportunity she could to throw a punch of her own, but Maria ducked and drove her shoulder into Joey’s hip, wrapping her arms around Joey’s legs to take her down. Joey slid an arm around Maria’s neck on the way down, but Maria ducked her chin, denying her the opportunity to establish a choke.

They hit the mat, but Joey locked a foot under Maria’s knee and rolled them over before Maria could establish dominance. They rolled over and over, twisting out of one another’s hold like slippery eels and trading more than a few blows before Joey managed to pin Maria sufficiently enough for her to tap out.

Aching in more than a few tender spots, Joey rolled away and flopped on her back, staring at the ceiling while she caught her breath.

I think you’re ready, Maria said between wheezing breaths.

A sense of satisfaction filled Joey, spreading from her chest to the tips of her toes. Me too.

I’m going to challenge Lucas tomorrow.

Chris blinked and looked up from his perusal of the latest translated journal pages. Joey had been quiet all evening, and he suspected the challenge was on her mind, but the immediacy of it still took him by surprise. He closed the laptop and set it on the nightstand, then looked across the room to where Joey stood in front of the mirror, watching him in its reflection.

Okay, you have my attention. Tomorrow?

She nodded. Ben thinks I’m ready. Maria too.

C’mere.

After a moment’s hesitation, she turned and approached the bed. Settling on the edge, she curled her fingers over his and regarded him expectantly.

I don’t know what the right thing is to say, he admitted.

Her lips twitched in a faint smile. Good luck, you’ve got this, I’ll love you no matter what?

He tugged her hand, pulling her into his lap. Good luck. You’ve got this. I’ll love you no matter what.

There have been plenty of times I would’ve liked to put words in your mouth, but strangely, this isn’t one of them. She sighed.

I meant every one. He tightened his arms around her and brushed her forehead with his lips. "I’m not going to pretend I’m not worried… but it’s not about your capabilities. I just don’t